Chapter one:

The Whammys are all in a class for the upcoming ranking test that is about to start.

The last few orphans are coming in including Near who is the last to enter.

Soon Roger steps in with someone new.

"Everyone." Roger says making everyone pause and turn to him. "This is our newest member Ra-ra."

The girl beside him is about Mellos height. She has sandy blonde hair that is in loose waves falling around her shoulders. She is wearing a white tank top, blue shorts, white leg warmers and black ankle high boots. Her sapphire eyes scan the room until they land on Near as the twos eyes lock. "Nia?" She moves over to Near who takes a step back now fully facing her. "Is that you?"

"It has been awhile Ra-ra." Near greets back after a moment of silence.

Ra-ra smiles softly looking upon Near with a slightly gentle look that almost seems sympathetic. "Yes it has been." She says in agreement and the two glance away yet it feels tense like there is anger between the two. "How have you been old friend?" She asks taking a glance back to him.

Near turns to her whipping his head to look to her. "Old friend? Don't give me that friend bullshit." He responds angrily. "Not after everything that happened!"

The sight of Near actually being angry shocks everyone except for Ra-ra.

Ra-ra simply nods softly with a soft smile still on her face. "I kind of expected that." She admits.

Nears now half open eyes flicker away from her.

"Perhaps though I could help-" Ra-ra doesn't get to finish before Near interrupts her.

"No!" Near snaps at her. "I don't need your help!" He quickly leaves the room after that leaving many shocked orphans.

Slightly snapping back to reality Roger is about to chase Near but is stopped.

Ra-ra's voice is what stops him. "I doubt he'll want to be found so there isn't a point in going. You won't find him." She says and Roger turns to her.

"You two know each other?" Roger asks managing to snap back to reality enough to speak this time.

"We used to be friends when we were younger." Ra-ra explains. "It's kind of the reason we address each other in our nicknames we gave each other as kids and used them so often it's like a second nature. Nears is Nia and mine is Ra-ra. Simple ones you know? I guess it works out my nickname is the same as my name here."

"May I ask what happened between you and Near that caused such anger?" Matt asks watching Ra-ra who turns to him.

"It's a long story." Ra-ra says as she glances away.

"Well it's time for class so please take a seat." Roger says then turns and heads back to go to his office.

Ra-ra takes a seat in a free open spot and soon class begins.

Though the teacher isn't sure how many of the orphans are actually paying attention at this point.

... After class...

All of the orphans turn to Ra-ra who seems to have picked up that she will have to answer some questions.

"So. What was all that about?" Mello questions folding his arms over his chest.

"Nothing much. Just a few unresolved things." Ra-ra begins. "A lot happened and I understand his anger. I would probably feel the same way if the tables were switched."

"So what in the world did you do that made this happen?" Linda questions.

Ra-Ra shakes her head. "Let's not get into it. Let's just say that we probably never will be friends again. Perhaps he's found newer and better friends here." She stands and heads off making her way through ignoring any protests.

The other orphans can only watch and protest as she leaves. After a moment or two the orphans group in their own groups or leave themselves as if trying to kind of go back to normal.

"Well this is an interesting new development." Mello says to himself.

"Do you think that she's the reason that Near tries to keep other people out?" Matt asks turning to the intelligent hot headed blonde.

"Most likely." Mello confirms with a smirk beginning to appear on his face.

"Shouldn't we try to help them?" Matt questions.

"Oh we will get even more emotional reactions from Near." Mello chuckles making Matt sweat drop. He turns to the red head. "When Near reappears we will get him and Ra-Ra to talk."

"Maybe by having them meet in front of the class or something?" Matt suggests tilting his head and reaching for one of his gaming device hidden in his vest pocket.

"It's an idea but I want a place where I will have a good view. Maybe the common room." Mello says then blinks as an idea appears in his brain. "That's it!" He snaps his fingers in his ah ha moment. "We will get them in the common room and get them to talk."

"How?" Matt asks pulling out his gameboy.

"Well. I'll get Ra-Ra in there and you get Near. We tell Near that he needs to share his feelings and see if it takes off."

"Right." Matt says turning his attention to his gameboy but he's still listening to Mello.

"Alright! We can do this!" Mello stands. "Come Matt. We've got work to do."

The two leave as Matt follows the other like a lost puppy.

….

It wasn't until when the sun is almost set that Near reappeared.

Near didn't really say anything to others who would try to ask him about what happened. He's always say something to avoid answering then walks away.

Mello is still determined to figure out what has happened and he keeps an eye on things for now. He has his red headed friend hacking to try to look into both of the twos past to try to find any sort of connection between them. He will see if that brings up anything before he approaches either of them. He leaves Near alone who just goes to make cared towers in the common room still not saying anything to anyone. He goes to check on Ra-Ra who is letting Linda give her a tour with it clear in Linda's eyes that she wants to find a way to get Ra-Ra to tell her what happened.

Linda doesn't hide that she likes Near and wants him to be only hers. She however seems oblivious to how Near clearly doesn't like her back at all.

Mello wonders how all of this will go. He supposes that it will depend on what happened between the two. He waits for the perfect time to step in and be able to lead Ra-Ra to where Near is to see what will happen. He can't wait to see Near once again get more reactive to this old friend.

AN:

An older story from my phone I decided to work on.

I am still tired from a wedding the previous night so hopefully the last bit turned out alright.

Hopefully you are enjoying so far!

Mello.